According to the survey results, quality professionals with one certification earn $7,670 more than those with none, and those with two certifications earn $11,127 more than those with one.

And the more certifications you earn the higher your potential salary — to a point. For those who earn four or more ASQ certifications — only 4.4 percent of the survey respondents — earnings plateau at an average of $113,111, a premium of $3,175 over those who have earned three certifications.

Results of the most comprehensive study of salaries among quality professionals are featured in the December issue of Quality Progress magazine, the flagship publication of ASQ.

According to the survey, average salaries for quality professionals in the United States increased for the fourth year in a row in 2018, up a modest 1.64 percent to $94,561.

This year’s increase is the largest since 2015, when salaries rose 2.78 percent, and exceeds the average salary increase of 1.5 percent from 2008 to 2017 year over year.

“It’s encouraging to see the average salary of quality professionals increase for the fourth year in a row,” said ASQ Chair Elmer Corbin. “It demonstrates that organizations continue to value the important work of quality professionals. Furthermore, the research results continue to illustrate a connection between ASQ certifications and training and the potential for higher salaries for certain individuals.”

In addition to the number of certifications earned, the survey results show Six Sigma training significantly impacts average salaries. For example:

For quality professionals new to quality, completing Six Sigma training can have an impact on pay, without obtaining formal certification. Quality professionals who complete at least one level of Six Sigma training make more than $17,000 more than those with no training.

While the difference between those who complete Yellow Belt training and those with no training is minimal — a difference of $569 — Green Belts earn more than $10,000 more than Yellow Belts.

Master Black Belts earn an average $134,981, compared to $86,696 for those without any Six Sigma training — a difference of more than $48,000.

Survey Background

For 32 years, Quality Progress has released its annual Salary Survey, outlining the health of the quality profession. The survey breaks down results, in 26 sections and sorts the data by several variables, including job title, education, years of experience and geographic location.

In addition to the survey, Quality Progress magazine has updated its online salary calculator reflecting 2018 data. The calculator, which is available to ASQ members, allows users to pinpoint salaries based on several variables.

ASQ, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., USA, is a global community of people dedicated to quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With individual and organizational members in more than 140 countries, ASQ has the reputation and reach to bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world’s organizations and communities to meet tomorrow’s critical challenges.

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With members and customers in over 130 countries, ASQ brings together the people, ideas and tools that make our world work better.

ASQ celebrates the unique perspectives of our community of members, staff and those served by our society. Collectively, we are the voice of quality, and we increase the use and impact of quality in response to the diverse needs in the world.